Israel is calling on its citizens over the age of 60 to receive a third dose of the vaccine to protect themselves against Covid-19, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced in a televised statement Thursday (July 29th).
Faced with an increase in contamination in recent weeks linked to the spread of the Delta variant, the Hebrew state is launching a "complementary vaccination campaign" from Sunday for people over 60 who were vaccinated more than five years ago months, explained Naftali Bennett.
"I call on all elderly people who have already been vaccinated to receive this additional dose. Protect yourself", insisted the Prime Minister.
President Isaac Herzog, 60, will receive the first dose of the vaccine on Friday morning, Naftali Bennett said.
"This third dose can save lives"
"A few days after the third dose, you will have more immune defenses," said Naftali Bennett.
"Vaccines protect against mortality just like the flu shot, which has to be redone from time to time."
"This third dose can save lives," added Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, who spoke after the Prime Minister.
According to pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, which produces the vaccine mostly used in Israel, "new studies show that a third dose has neutralizing effects against the Delta variant more than five times higher in young people and more than eleven times higher in people over elderly. "
About 55% of Israel's population has been fully vaccinated thanks to a massive campaign launched in late December, mostly with Pfizer vaccines.
Return of the health pass
At the beginning of June, the authorities extended the vaccination to young people aged 12 to 16, and from August 1, children aged 5 to 11 at risk of serious complications from Covid-19 can be vaccinated by health insurance funds. Health Insurance.
The Hebrew state has recorded more than 1,400 new cases of contamination in the last 24 hours against 100 per day in mid-June.
More than 15,000 active cases are currently identified, including 151 hospitalized in serious condition, according to the Ministry of Health.
Faced with this increase in contamination, Israel reinstated the health pass on Thursday.
Only people fully vaccinated, cured of Covid-19 or with a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours, will be allowed to enter a place accommodating more than 100 people, indoors or outdoors.
With AFP
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